Design story
The New Year brings blustery, chilly weather, especially here in England. Keeping warm and looking fashionable can go hand in hand however, and with that in mind I designed this little cardigan. Knit in 100% wool, it's toasty, and the cardigan's fitted shape and short sleeves make it a perfect sweater to wear with a dress or strappy top for a night out. Alternatively you can layer it with a long-sleeve t-shirt underneath for daytime wear and to stay even warmer. Versatility is key! The design is vintage-flavoured and was inspired by the pin-up sweaters of the 1950s. As the cardigan is cropped, it's a fairly quick knit in a DK-weight yarn. The shaping in the waist comes from the cabled ribbing pattern, which is also found on the collar and cuffs.
Materials
Biggan Design DK Merino First Cross, 100% merino pure new wool, (105 m/115 ds per 50g ball)
5 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) balls of shade 670
4 mm (US #6) circular needle (29 inch)
8 stitch markers, 8 small buttons, cable needle, 2 stitch holders
Measurements
| Sizes | XS | S | M | L | 1X | 2X | 3X | |
| To fit bust | 30 | 34 | 38 | 42 | 46 | 50 | 54 | inches |
| 76 | 86 | 96.5 | 107 | 117 | 127 | 137 | cm | |
| Finished Bust Size | 30.5 | 34.5 | 38.5 | 42.5 | 46.5 | 50.5 | 54.5 | inches |
| 77.5 | 87.5 | 98 | 108 | 118 | 128 | 138.5 | cm | |
| Finished Length | 17 | 18.5 | 19.5 | 21 | 22 | 24.5 | 26 | inches |
| 43 | 47 | 49.5 | 53 | 56 | 62 | 66 | cm | |
0.5 inch positive ease.
Shown in bust size 34 inches (86 cm)
Tension required
21 sts x 28 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) in stocking stitch
Pattern notes
This cardigan is worked from the top down, going back and forth on a circular needle, with raglan increases. The fitted shape is created by a minimal amount of ease (0.5 inches) in the bust and the cabled ribbing in the waist.
Cable ribbing pattern
Rows 1 and 3 (WS): K2, * P1tbl, K1, P1tbl, K2, rep from * to end.
Row 2: P2, * K1tbl, P1, K1tbl, P2, rep from * to end.
Row 4: P2 * sl 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, K1tbl, slip purl st back to left hand needle and purl it, K1tbl from cable needle, P2, rep from * to end.
Abbreviations
PM - place marker
KFB - knit the front and the back of the stitch
P1tbl - purl 1 stitch through the back loop of the stitch
K1tbl - knit 1 stitch through the back loop of the stitch
sl - slip
K - knit
P - purl
WS - wrong side
RS - right side
st st - stocking(ette) stitch
st(s) - stitch(es)
Pattern
Yoke
Cast on 92 (97, 102, 107, 112, 112, 117) sts using 4 mm (US #6) circular needle.
Starting with a wrong side (WS) row, work in cable ribbing pattern for 4 rows, ending with a right side (RS) row. Do not join.
Raglan yoke set-up row (WS): P19 (20, 21, 23, 24, 24, 25), PM, P9, PM, P18 (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24), knit 0 (2, 3, 2, 3, 0, 2) sts tog, P18 (18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 23), PM, P9, PM, P19 (20, 21, 23, 24, 24, 25).
Working in st st, work increases at same time, as follows:
Next row: * K to 1 st before marker, KFB, slip marker, KFB, rep from * 3 times, K to end. 100 (104, 108, 114, 118, 120, 124) sts on needle.
Next row: Purl.
Rep these 2 rows 20 (24, 28, 32, 36, 41, 45) times. 260 (296, 332, 370, 406, 448, 484) sts on needle.
Separate sleeves from body
Next row: * K to marker, take off marker, place next 51 (59, 67, 75, 83, 93, 101) sts on stitch holder or scrap yarn to be worked later, take off marker, rep from * once, K to end. 158 (178, 198, 220, 240, 262, 282) sts on needle.
Body
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K78 (88, 98, 108, 118, 131, 141), k 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 0, 0) sts together, k 0 (0, 0, 2, 2, 0, 0) sts together, k78 (88, 98, 107, 117, 131, 141).
157 (177, 197, 117, 237, 262, 282) sts on needle.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: Knit
Work in st st until cardigan measures or 8.3 (9, 9, 10, 10, 11.5, 123) cm (3.25, 3.5, 3.5, 4, 4, 4.5, 5.25) inches from under arm, ending with a RS row.
Next row (WS): work in cable ribbing pattern for 44 (44, 44, 44, 44, 44, 44) rows. This constitutes 11 (11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11) pattern repeats of 4 rows each.
Bind off all sts.
Sleeves (make two)
Place 51 (59, 67, 75, 83, 93, 101) sts of left sleeve back on needle. Join yarn to these live sts.
Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Next row:
Sizes XS (S, M, L) only
Knit, inc 1 (3, 0, 2) sts evenly spaced. 52 (62, 67, 77) sts on needle.
Sizes 1X (2X, 3X) only
Knit, dec 1 (1, 4) sts evenly spaced. 82 (92, 97) sts on needle.
All Sizes
Work in st st until sleeve measures 5 (5, 5.75, 6.25, 7, 7.5, 8.25) cm (2, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25 inches) from underarm.
Work the 4 rows of cable ribbing pattern once.
Bind off all sts.
Button bands
With RS facing, pick up 76 (82, 86, 92, 98, 108, 116) sts along left front edge of cardigan.
Next 4 rows: Work in moss stitch.
Bind off all sts.
With RS facing, pick up 76 (82, 86, 92, 98, 108, 116) sts along right front edge of cardigan, working in moss stitch as for left band.
Row 1: work in moss stitch.
Row 2: Whilst maintaining pattern, place 8 stitch markers evenly spaced along the row.
Next row: Work in pattern to marker, *yo, take off marker, work 2tog, work in pattern to next marker, rep from * 7 times, work in pattern to end.
Rows 3 and 4: Work in pattern.
Bind off all sts.
Making up
Sew on the buttons so that they line up with the buttonholes.
Darn in all ends, block if you desire.
See more of Linda's work at her website: www.woollymammothknits.com
This pattern is not to be used commercially or to be resold. Copyright © Linda Wilgus 2010
